England vs Australia: The most memorable Ashes series of all-time
England and Australia gear up for a fascinating Ashes 2019 starting August 1. This is part of the new World Test Championship introduced by ICC. The five-match Test series starts at Edgbaston. Australia are the current holders of the urn. Notably, England haven't lost a Test series, to Australia, at home since 2001. Here we look at the most memorable series.
1932-33 'Bodyline' series was highly controversial
The 1932-33 Ashes series is still considered to be the most controversial one. England captain Douglas Jardine approached the 'Bodyline' theory. The fast bowlers led by Harold Larwood were asked to bowl accurate short balls. The leg-side was packed accordingly. The ploy worked as England won the Ashes 4-1. England's approach to bowl at the body, was condemned as "unsporting" by Australian officials.
Don Bradman's farewell Test series in 1948
The 1948 series saw Australia seal the five-match series in England by a 4-0 margin. Notably, it was Don Bradman's last series. In the fourth Test, Australia were set an impossible target of 404 on the final day. But Australia got home with Bradman hitting an unbeaten 173. However, Bradman scored a duck in his final innings, to end with an average of 99.94.
England's 2005 Ashes win was a brilliant effort
The 2005 Ashes in England saw the hosts win the series for the first time in nearly 19 years. Australia won the first Test by 239 runs to gain a lead. The second Test saw England win by only two runs. England gained impetus in the fourth Test to take a 2-1 lead. Kevin Pietersen's ton in the final Test helped England prevail.
2015 Ashes was defined by big margins
England won the 2015 Ashes by a 3-2 margin, but the damage was done by the fourth Test itself. The hosts sealed the first Test by 169 runs and then Australia gained authority to earn a 405-run victory. England won the next two matches in a dominating fashion to gain a 3-1 lead. Australia fought back to inflict an innings defeat in the fifth.
Ian Botham did an amazing job for England in 1981
England faced a defeat in the first Test at Nottingham and then Ian Botham bagged a pair in a draw at Lord's. He resigned as skipper. England were made to follow-on in the third Test at Headingley. Botham's counter-attacking unbeaten 149 helped England win a thriller. Botham stood out at Edgbaston. His 118 set up a 103-run victory at Old Trafford to help England.
